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SOUTH Sydney coach Michael Maguire last night launched a blistering attack on the game's lawmakers, declaring it "madness" that nobody was sent off after Greg Inglis was dropped on his head three times in a fiery clash against Manly at Brookvale Oval.

The normally reserved Maguire came out strongly in support of Inglis after Manly backrower Richie Fa'aoso was twice placed on report for separate spear tackles on Inglis, while Jason King escaped any onfield reprimand when he also dumped Inglis on his head.

While Maguire was left seething at what he fears is an orchestrated plan to negate Inglis - Krisnan Inu was suspended earlier this season for a similar spear tackle on Inglis - Manly coach Geoff Toovey was also left frustrated after an ugly brawl went against the Sea Eagles.

Maguire called on the NRL to start protecting its players against foul play.

"This area really needs to have a look at," he said.

"At the end of the day what does it take to have someone sent off?

"Greggy lands on his head three times. It's an area where we have to protect our players.

Manly vs SouthsSource:The Daily Telegraph

"This is madness. I am concerned how it got to this."

Moments later, Toovey questioned how players could start throwing punches and face no penalty after the brawl erupted following a Steve Matai hit on George Burgess.

"I looked at it several times, great hit," Toovey said.

"He lost the ball and then blokes came in throwing punches to our players. Nothing happened there.

Toovey believed Matai's hit was ball-high and that Burgess took a dive to get a penalty.

"Maybe he has got to look at the way he is carrying the ball, it's happened to him a lot," he said.

"I'm more concerned with players staying down and taking a dive."

Matai was placed on report for the tackle, the third Manly player reported that night after Fa'aoso (twice) and Brett Stewart were earlier reported, Stewart for striking Souths winger Andrew Everingham.

It was a fiery end to what was one of the best game's of the season.

Manly vs SouthsSource:The Daily Telegraph

While Manly had the better of it for most of the first half, it was Souths who went to the break ahead following a solitary Adam Reynolds penalty goal.

The Sea Eagles started the second half lethargically and likely gave the game away there.

Inglis scored after 40 seconds and five minutes later the Rabbitohs were over again through John Sutton, pushing ahead 14-0.

Manly then suffered another blow trying to fight their way back when Tom Symonds had a try disallowed that could have narrowed the score to 14-6, only to see their misfortune double up when Souths marched upfield and, just a minute later, push the score out to 20-0 following a Beau Champion try.

"I'm dumbfounded what's going on in video box," Toovey said.

Toovey believed Symonds scored a fair try but it was ruled illegal because of obstruction.

Towards the end of the game, with Souths hanging on to a 20-12 lead and Manly trying to mount an unlikely comeback, David Williams went over in the corner and the referees signified to the box they believed it was a fair try.

The video referee then overturned it.

"The ref said try, he looked at it 10 times and they said no try. I thought it had to be conclusive?" Toovey said.

"Can someone explain it to me?"

Toovey said he has left referees boss Daniel Anderson alone this season but will call this week for an explanation.

"It's just the consistency from week to week, from referee to referee," he said.

"The coaches want some consistency.

"I was particularly frustrated by the video refs tonight.

"That was my main issue. But if they've got it wrong they'll just say sorry."

9.50pm - Souths win 20-12

SOUTH Sydney have held on in a bruising encounter that could prove very costly for the Sea Eagles, with Richie Fa'aoso, Steve Matai and Brett Stewart all on report.

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9.35pm - Hope for Manly?

DALY Cherry-Evans has weaved his way over and Jamie Lyon converts to make it 20-12 to Souths with seven minutes to go.

Enough time for a Sea Eagles miracle?

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9.26pm - Sea Eagles on the board

MANLY are finally on the board, with Anthony Watmough ducking over to make it 20-6 with 15 minutes to go.

The Rabbitohs extended their lead nine minutes earlier with a try to Beau Champion.

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9.05pm - Matai and Fa'aoso both on report

IT'S going to be a big week for Manly in terms of the judiciary with Steve Matai and Richie Fa'aoso both staring at lengthy spells on the sidelines.

Fa'aoso has been put on report twice in the same night for separate dangerous tackles on Greg Inglis.

Matai then joined him after flying in with a swinging arm on George Burgess and catching the big Bunnies prop on the throat. The one saving grace for Matai was that the initial contact was on Burgess' shoulder.

George's brother Sam took exception to the hit, shoving Matai before fists started flying between the two sides.

What a game.

Oh, and John Sutton also crossed for the Bunnies on the back of a lovely step.

Rabbits lead 14-0 with 30 minutes to go.

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8.55pm - Inglis scores 38 seconds into second half

WELL, that didn't take long.

Chris McQueen put Greg Inglis into space on the left and the superstar fullback could not be stopped, going on a trademark long-range run for the four-pointer.

Adam Reynolds converts from the sideline and Rabbitohs lead 8-0 after the first minute of the first half.

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8.38pm - Souths lead 2-0 at halftime

TREMENDOUS defensive efforts from both sides has set the scene for a cracking second half, with a lone penalty goal from Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds the difference between the two sides at the break.

For all the halftime stats, SuperCoach points and more, check out the MATCH CENTRE.

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8.20pm - Rabbitohs finally break deadlock

IN an indication of how tight this match has been, the Rabbitohs have made the unusual decision to take the two with the scores locked at nil-all after 25 minutes.

Adam Reynolds slots the penalty goal from in front and the Bunnies lead 2-0.

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8.02pm - Matai injures shoulder, plays on

MANLY centre Steve Matai looked to be in a world of pain, holding his shoulder after he was tackled seven minutes into the first half.

Matai is playing through it but it is an injury the Kiwi has had plenty of problems with in the past.

Nil-all so far at Brookvale, but it's been all Manly.

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6.57pm - One change for Souths

JUST the one change for the Bunnies, with Jason Clark replacing Jeff Lima on the bench.

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